8 Tips about Fire Safety That Could Save Your Life

Nothing can be more devastating than a fire which could have been prevented. Fires can destroy not only property, but years of work, irreplaceable possessions and, all too frequently, human lives. These pointers should be kept in mind to help prevent the wreckage a fire can cause.

1. Never replace a fuse with one of larger amperage. Never! Fuses are there to protect your house or business. If you ignore them by using a larger amp fuse or, worse, using a penny, you open yourself to a wiring meltdown that is sure to cause a fire the next time the circuit is overloaded.

2. Always obey the warnings on fixtures about maximum wattage. If it says "60 watt maximum," then don't place a 100 watt bulb in the socket. Sockets have a specific rating for a reason and that reason is always one of safety.

3. Proper ventilation. Always use solvents and other flammable liquids in a well-ventilated space and away from open flame.

4. Professional electrician. Always hire a professional electrician to do your wiring and electrical fixtures. You may save money by doing it yourself, but if your house burns down, you've lost everything you've saved and then some.

5. Prepare for escape. Should you experience a fire, you want to be sure your family members at home or co-workers at work know the proper exit strategy. Discuss the best way to exit from each part of the house or business. And designate a common gathering point outside so that you can ensure everyone got out safely.

6. Keep bedroom doors closed when you sleep. During a fire, moments count and a closed door will block fire from getting into each bedroom, giving each person time to escape.

7. Learn more about fire safety by taking online training courses on the subject. There are many online resources that can help prepare your household or corporation for the unthinkable. Corporate training in an e-learning environment may be perfect for keeping all of your employees safe in the event of a fire, or better yet, for preventing one from starting in the first place.

8. Pre-arrange for a way to let everyone know. An alarm of some kind may prove critical in saving lives. In a corporate setting, a public address system may be perfect. But what if it fails? Have a backup plan, too. At home, make certain all family members know how to let each other know of a fire. Banging on the walls and yelling "fire" might do the job. Practice this in advance so that you know for certain others will be able to hear.

Image Credit: Loving Earth on Flickr